Herself | Page 2

learn something of the structure of the female generative
organs. As I have told some of you in former talks, the womb is
designed as a nest for the babe during its process of development from
the egg or ovule. It lies in the center of the pelvis, or lower part of the
body cavity, in front of the rectum and behind and above the bladder. It
is pear-shaped, with the small end downward, and is about three inches
long, two inches wide and one inch thick. It consists of layers of
muscles enclosing a cavity which, owing to the thickness of the walls,
is comparatively small. This cavity is triangular in shape and has three
openings,--one at the lower end or mouth of the womb into the vagina
and one at each side, near the top, into the fallopian tubes. The womb,

or uterus as it sometimes is called, is not firmly attached nor adherent
to any of the bony parts. It is suspended in the pelvic cavity and kept in
place by muscles and ligaments. As the muscles and ligaments are
elastic, the womb slightly changes its position with different
movements of the body. Normally, it is inclined forward, resting on the
bladder; so you see, a full bladder will push it backward, while a full
rectum and intestines tend to push it forward and downward.
[Illustration: GENERATIVE ORGANS.]
The lower end or mouth of the womb opens into the vagina, a
distensible and curved muscular tube, which helps to support the womb
and also connects it with the external parts. The vagina is about three
and a half inches long. It often is called the birth canal because the baby
must pass through it on its way from the womb to the external world.
The two upper openings of the womb lead into the fallopian tubes or
oviducts, which are two small muscular tubes leading from the ovaries
to the womb. Each one is about four inches long, but the opening
through the center in its largest portion is only about as large as a
broom straw, while near the womb it narrows down until it will admit
only a fine bristle. When the ovum or seed leaves the ovary it must pass
through one of these tubes to reach the womb, so you see how
necessary it is that they be kept in good condition.
From the end of each tube, but not directly connected with it, is
suspended a small almond-shaped body called the ovary. Each ovary is
similar in shape and size to an almond, measuring about one and a half
inches in length, three-fourths of an inch in width and one-half an inch
in thickness. The function or work of the ovaries is to produce, develop
and mature the ova (eggs) and to discharge them when fully formed so
they may enter the tubes and so find their way to the womb. In every
ovary there are several hundred little ovules or eggs in various stages of
development. At irregular intervals one of these ovules ripens and
leaves the ovary. It passes along the fallopian tube to the womb. Here it
remains if it is impregnated or fertilized, and develops into the babe. If
not impregnated, it passes off with the menstrual flow. Every
twenty-eight days large quantities of blood are sent to the womb,

producing a natural congestion. The pressure of this extra blood in the
tiny capillaries of the womb stretches and weakens their walls. This
allows the blood, which is being sent to the womb to provide
nourishment for the ovum if it be impregnated, to pass into the cavity
of the womb, then out through the mouth into the vagina, thence to the
external parts. This flow is called the menstrual flow. When the flow
ceases the mucosa or lining assumes its former state. This process is
repeated every month.
[Illustration: 1. Bladder 2. Urethra 3. Uterus 4. Vagina 5. Rectum 6.
Peritoneum 7. Perineum VERTICAL SECTION OF PELVIS]
Lining the cavity of the abdomen and also folded over the womb,
ovaries, tubes and other organs is a thin membrane called the
peritoneum. An inflammation of this lining is called peritonitis.
All these organs I have mentioned are situated inside the body out of
sight, but there are other organs that are external. You have noticed two
longitudinal folds of skin extending from the anus, or external opening
of the rectum, to the rounded eminence in front. Their outer surface is
covered with hair and their inner surface with glands that secrete a
lubricating material. These folds are called the labia majora. Within the
labia majora are two smaller folds called the labia minora. These folds
meet at their anterior (front) end. At the meeting point you will notice a
very